In brief: Suspect arrested in gas-station robbery

A 28-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of robbing an East El Paso gas station Monday night.

Police said they arrested Raul Angel Gandarilla, of the 10400 block of Kasey Way, in connection with the robbery of the Valero Corner Store in the 800 block of Zaragoza Road about 11:15 p.m. Monday.

Police said the robber, who was armed with a knife, took items from the front counter and demanded money.

The clerk gave the robber an undisclosed amount of money.

Police officers found Gandarilla at a Circle K store at North Loop and Rio Vista and arrested him on suspicion of aggravated robbery. He also had two outstanding warrants.

Gandarilla was booked into El Paso County Jail, and his bond was set at $75,000.

Aaron Bracamontes

Man, 91, is 5th to die from flu in EP

A 91-year-old man who died last week was the fifth El Pasoan to die this year after getting the flu, the El Paso Department of Public Health said Wednesday evening.

A department spokesman said the man had serious medical conditions, just like the other El Paso flu victims who died this year.

Health officials said the flu season is expected to continue until April. The number of reported flu cases have been declining in recent weeks. In December, there were 1,704 flu cases, compared with 1,127 cases so far this month, officials said.

For information on getting a flu vaccine at city health centers, call 771-5822.

Daniel Borunda

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2 men rob pizza deliveryman

El Paso police are looking for two men who robbed a 52-year-old pizza delivery driver Tuesday night in Sunset Heights.

A police spokesman said the Papa John's deliveryman was getting out of his car on Corto Way when he was waved at by two men who told him that they had ordered the pizza. One of the men took out a handgun, threatened the driver and stole the pizza and some cash.

Police searched the neighborhood but were unable to find the robbers. Police said one of the men was wearing a dark-colored hooded sweatshirt and the other man had on a white jacket.

Anyone with information on the robbery may call Crime Stoppers of El Paso at 566-8477.

Daniel Borunda

Fort Bliss MP arrested in car fire

A Fort Bliss military police officer was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of setting a vehicle on fire in November.

Drew Woodard, 24, allegedly set a truck on fire about 10:35 p.m. Nov. 29 on the 4600 block of Vesta Loop.

Investigators said the truck's driver-side window was broken and the inside of the truck was on fire when firefighters arrived.

No one was injured.

Woodard was arrested Tuesday and booked into the El Paso County Jail, his bond set at $50,000. He is facing arson charges.

Aaron Bracamontes

Deadline today to pay property taxes

Property taxes are due today.

Payments may be made by check, money order and cash. Late payments will result in penalties and interest.

Because of the large volume of payments being processed, there may be some delays or difficulties in accessing payment options.

Wells Fargo banks: Make your full or partial property tax payment at any Wells Fargo by 3 p.m. today. No cash is accepted -- only checks or money orders.

Tax bills must be presented when paying.

Drive-thru payments will not be accepted.

City of El Paso Tax Office: from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday at 221 N. Kansas, on the third floor of the Wells Fargo Building. Check, money orders, and cash are accepted. The tax bill must be presented when paying.

Alex Hinojosa

Firefighter arrested in child abuse case

An El Paso firefighter has been arrested on suspicion of abusing a 4-month-old child in December.

Police said Stephen Anthony Valdes, 27, faces a charge of injury to a child. Police began an investigation after responding to reports of an unresponsive child in the 11500 block of Ocean Park Street on Dec. 14.

The girl was taken to Providence Children's Hospital for treatment. Investigators later determined the head injuries the infant suffered were not accidental and happened while the baby was in Valdes' care.

Valdes was arrested Tuesday and booked into the El Paso County Jail, his bond set at $60,000.

Adriana M. Chávez

Empty Central home damaged in blaze

Fire investigators have yet to determine what caused a fire in a vacant Central El Paso home Tuesday evening.

About 25 firefighters were dispatched to the fire about 8:30 in the 3900 block of Nations Avenue. When they arrived, they saw smoke and flames coming from the single-story home. They were able to control the fire within minutes.

Investigators determined that the fire began in one of the bedrooms.

The home's owner told firefighters the home had been vacant "for some time now."

The home sustained heavy smoke damage throughout. No injuries were reported.

Officials said the cause of fire is classified as undetermined. Damage is estimated at $15,000.

Adriana M. Chávez

Fugitive sex offender arrested

A convicted sex offender featured last year in the Manhunt Monday fugitive search program has been arrested.

Deputies said Banta left a Horizon City halfway house in October after removing his electronic monitoring device and had been on the run since. He had been on parole on convictions of aggravated sexual assault and failing to register as a sex offender. The victim was a 13-year-old girl, deputies said.

Banta was profiled on Manhunt Monday on Oct. 22. He was booked into the El Paso County Jail without bond.

ODESSA, Texas (AP) — A West Texas man has been charged with impersonating an officer by using sirens and flashing lights to skip to the head of the drive-thru line at a fast-food restaurant. Full Story